Researching Research
We had a Module 2 focused Skype last week, in which we discussed 'researching research.'
I had been researching different topics and their significance to my practice. However, as we started to discuss our topics it became apparent that we had 'went down a different street.'
We discussed the importance of 'Mapping Research' as a way of investigating the different types of research and how they are conducted. We discussed the use of 'mapping' and about taking different routes on a map in order to build a whole map. We linked this to knowledge and the importance of obtaining knowledge.
As part of Module 2 we have to create an 'inquiry', which will allow us to develop a greater knowledge of our professional practice, and then in Module 3 we will conduct the inquiry and investigate.
There are many ways of researching and to some extent we do it every day. We can use many tools to research. Recently, due to the pandemic, I have found myself researching through Web 2.0, nearly everyday, to keep up to date with new rules/restrictions and case figures.
As discussed in the Module Handbook we will be using qualitative research as way of conducting our Inquiry. This then led me onto researching qualitative research and the ways in which it can be conducted:
- Interviews
- Focus Groups
- Secondary Data
- Observations
‘Qualitative research is to seek a contextualized understanding of phenomena, explain behaviour and beliefs, identify process and understand the content of people's experiences.’ (Hennink, Hutter and Bailey, 2020)
Hennink, M., Hutter, I. and Bailey, A., 2020. Qualitative Research Methods. 2nd ed. London: SAGE Publications Ltd, p.17.
Hi Paul. My name is Lauren, I am also Module Two. Thank you so much for sharing your experiences, it has been interesting and reassuring to read through your start to this module. I was unable to make the Skype call so it has been beneficial to read this blog to catch up, I particularly liked the literal analogy of "mapping" as creating lots of routes that eventually all link up to form the complete map.
ReplyDeleteAlso, it is definitely true that since Coronavirus Web 2.0 has become more crucial than ever before, and it is alarming sometimes to see quite how much we all rely on it to connect and stay informed.
Many thanks
Lauren
Hi Paul,
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of the tennis court with the ideas bouncing of each other. I find breaking things down with the mapping really helps and then getting to see how and where they are linked is really interesting. It is crazy how much we are researching everyday without realising it as well. Its so easy to take things like web 2.0 for granted. Thanks for your post! Alys :) x
After your post on my blog today I wanted to have a nose on some old module 2 students, as im mainly worried i'm kind of missing the point of what im doing , and also hoping for some more guidance from the Skype calls. So after reading this it has a assured me it will come, and module two isn’t impossible. Like yourself im starting to worry that i'm not doing any ‘actual’ work. But I must remember we are only on day 5 of week 2! Thanks Paul.
ReplyDelete